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Viral Structure

Viral Structure

Viruses are extraordinarily diverse in shape and size, but they all have several structural features in common. All viruses have a core that contains a DNA- or RNA-based genome. The core is surrounded by a protective coat of proteins called the capsid. The capsid is composed of subunits called capsomeres. The capsid and genome-containing core are together known as the nucleocapsid.

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...

Introduction to Virus

Introduction to Virus

Viruses are unique biological entities that blur the boundary between living and non-living systems. Although they lack cellular structure and metabolic processes, they can exhibit characteristics of life when infecting a host. Their defining feature is a nucleic acid core, composed of either DNA or RNA, encapsulated within a protein coat called a capsid. This simple structure allows them to invade host cells and use their machinery for replication efficiently.Viral Structure and...

Protein Complex Assembly

Protein Complex Assembly

Proteins can form homomeric complexes with another unit of the same protein or heteromeric complexes with different types. Most protein complexes self-assemble spontaneously via ordered pathways, while some proteins need assembly factors that guide their proper assembly. Despite the crowded intracellular environment, proteins usually interact with their correct partners and form functional complexes.
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...

Viruses with RNA Genomes

Viruses with RNA Genomes

RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the retrovirus to...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Published on: July 27, 2021

Viral genome structures are optimal for capsid assembly.

Jason D Perlmutter¹, Cong Qiao, Michael F Hagan

¹Martin A Fisher School of Physics , Brandeis University , Waltham , United States.

|June 25, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Virus capsids assemble with more negative nucleic acid (NA) than positive capsid charge. This "overcharging" and NA structure are key to genome packaging, informing antiviral and gene therapy strategies.

Keywords:

RNA Packaging Viruses self assembly virus capsid

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Simple and Robust in vivo and in vitro Approach for Studying Virus Assembly

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Last Updated: May 10, 2026

Generation and Assembly of Virus-Specific Nucleocapsids of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus

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Published on: July 27, 2021

Structure of HIV-1 Capsid Assemblies by Cryo-electron Microscopy and Iterative Helical Real-space Reconstruction

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Published on: August 9, 2011

Simple and Robust in vivo and in vitro Approach for Studying Virus Assembly

Simple and Robust in vivo and in vitro Approach for Studying Virus Assembly

Published on: March 1, 2012

Area of Science:

Biophysics
Virology
Computational Biology

Background:

Virus capsid assembly is crucial for viral propagation and a target for antiviral therapies.
Reengineering viral capsids offers potential for gene therapy applications.
Understanding the thermodynamic principles governing capsid-nucleic acid interactions is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the dynamics and thermodynamics of virus capsid assembly using a coarse-grained model.
To determine the factors influencing the selective packaging of viral genomes.
To explore the implications for antiviral strategies and gene therapy vector design.

Main Methods:

Development of a coarse-grained computational model for capsid proteins and nucleic acids (NA).
Simulation of capsid assembly dynamics and thermodynamic properties.
Comparison of model predictions with experimental data for specific viruses.

Main Results:

Capsids exhibit spontaneous "overcharging," where the negative charge of the NA exceeds the positive charge of the capsid.
Optimal NA lengths predicted by the model closely match natural viral genome lengths.
Accounting for NA tertiary structure, not just linear polyelectrolytes, is critical for accurate length prediction.

Conclusions:

Electrostatics, excluded volume, and NA tertiary structure are sufficient to predict capsid assembly thermodynamics.
The thermodynamic basis for selective viral genome encapsidation is elucidated.
Findings provide insights for developing new antiviral agents and gene therapy vectors.